Case study - Ngati Awa Farm land-use change

Ngati Awa excited about new land-use project

In recent years, extreme rainfall events have taken their toll on Ngati Awa Farm, located on the fringes of the Whakatane and Ohope urban areas, and the Ohiwa Harbour.

Frequent heavy downpours have caused significant erosion on the farm's steep slopes and in the streams, causing economic, environmental and operational problems for its owner, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council land management staff began farm assessment and planning work for Ngati Awa Farm in 2009. Farm managers have used the information and recommendations to drive land use and management decisions, including a change in land use on some areas of the farm, from pastoral farming into such alternatives as tree production, returning land to indigenous forest and wetland.

Beverly Hughes, environmental manager for Ngāti Awa at the time, said the iwi is very excited about the project.

"This will not only allow for diversification of this land parcel owned by Ngati Awa, but it will also enable us to continue to use our lands in a more sustainable way," Ms Hughes said.